biggish data

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (2big @ Sep 15 2009, 01:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (eltemp @ Sep 15 2009, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Congrats to the approvals for NOA2 and interviews!!

As for the ones waiting for their NOA2s... good luck to all of us this week!! COME VSC I need my NOA2

Also, good luck to the ones at NVC, hopefully your case will go fast to your respective embassies.

My NOA 1 WAS MAY 19TH AND I'M STILL WAITING...I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY NOA 2. I HOPE EVERYTHING IS FINE ON MY SIDE. I HAVE CALLED AND CHECKED ONLINE, IT SAYS PENDING. GUYS PLEASE WHAT WOULD I DO. ANY SUGGESTION WILL BE APPRECIATED.
THANKS

I know how difficult the wait is. With half of September gone, your's should be coming soon. They are still processing at five months because I just recently got my NOA from VSC.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-15 07:21:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (eltemp @ Sep 10 2009, 06:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Jasmin&Travis @ Sep 10 2009, 03:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good evening everyone!
Congratulations to everyone who's getting their approvals!

Eltemp, My NOA1 is the day before yours and I am still waiting also! I'm hoping we'll both receive ours by the end of tomorrow!
Yesyesyes <.>

Hey Jasmin&Travis,

To be honest I am kind of loosing hope that I'll be approved within the regular time...the reason is that I sent an email to USCIS specifically explaining that even though I had called to have this issue fixed, to have my case to show online, the officer simply replied: your case is pending and use the website to check your status. So he/she was telling me to check the status of a case I can't see on the website

plus they already approving people from June... and many many from mid/late May... so I am happy that a lot of people are being approved, but with the same token... I don't understand what is so complicated about my case that has not been approved yet...and I could not even imagine how the people who filled in March, April, etc...are coping with this annoying experience, which is just one of at least 4 different processes. .. but hopefully I am wrong... today is just a bad/frustrating day...

QUOTE (Tina&Roland @ Sep 10 2009, 06:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We got approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully yours will come, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that is awesome!, congrats!!!!

Hey eltemp, don't lose hope I know it’s so frustrating especially if you can't see your case online. There are others that have been approved without their online case ever working. Hopefully, we can get approved soon.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-10 18:02:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Tina&Roland @ Sep 10 2009, 06:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We got approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully yours will come, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice!!! Congratulations!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-10 17:50:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Sep 10 2009, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (2big @ Sep 10 2009, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (SCFsnoopy @ Sep 9 2009, 04:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got touched today

I,M MAY 19TH AND I HOPE MINE COME THIS WEEK..IF NOT I WILL GO CRAZY..JUST KIDDINNNNG...CONGRATS TO THOSE THAT ARE APPROVED.

I KEEP WAITING AND PRAYING TO GOD

That touch turned out to be an approval - I'm May 22nd, so hang in there, yours may be coming soon!

Ohhh the Anxiety.....

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-10 06:17:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (sweetgurl @ Sep 8 2009, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hello vsc may filers..i just got our email notification by mail today that our petition for k1 been approved...

goodluck to all VSC may filers.wished u all goodluck..

Wow - another May approval!!!! Congrats!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-08 23:16:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (nickandkayte @ Sep 4 2009, 05:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I GOT MY NOA2 JUST NOW! OMG!

Oh nice! Congratulations!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-05 21:24:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Hey guys! looks like most of April is done and they have already started to work on May!!!! YYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY....lol

Check here:

VisaJourney IGOR's VSC List (arranged for viewing based on each month - all petitions)

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-04 15:22:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (eltemp @ Sep 4 2009, 09:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Guys,

check this link out, the pdf screen shot of the new USCIS website coming in a couple of weeks:

http://www.uscis.gov...age_12aug09.pdf

looks much better, but check this other one as well...

http://www.uscis.gov...20(11Aug09).pdf

This one looks incredibly nice....in particular the case status looks...excellent! huge upgrade... in my book...shows timelines, etc is really good...

I think it looks ok, just wish they would improve the system to include more recent information about processing times and accurate detailed case status updates (instead of just providing a date).

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-04 15:12:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (Tina&Roland @ Sep 1 2009, 11:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Come on, VSC - let's go into May!! We really need a cheerleader!

Yay! I'm getting very anxious now, we are so close.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-01 12:56:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

QUOTE (eltemp @ Apr 30 2009, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello everyone.... I am starting this topic, "a little early", for the people who will fill out in May 2009 to the VSC for K-1... good luck to everyone....

Hey! I'm a little late but just wanted to say I filed May 22nd! VSC currently says 5months! yay they are on time. Hopefully they stay that way.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-08-19 10:01:00

cancellation/withdrawal of approved K1...

QUOTE (godsgift @ Oct 3 2009, 04:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

me and my fiance decided to withdraw/ cancel my approved petition, how can we do that... pls. advice to those who experienced cancelling or withdrawing their petition... thank u...

Awe, sorry to hear about your decision. You will have to write and sign a letter to USCIS explaining that you no longer wish to continue with the process. Good luck to you.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-03 09:37:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Is the I-129f REFUNDABLE?

Hey eRica&Toney, James here, I know how it feels to wait, especially if everyone around you is getting approved. However, I'm glad that you contacted your Senator to get things moving along. I had to deal with so many Immigration officers (level 2) over the phone and told to wait 30 days for an update to some internal ticket that I went ahead and contacted my congressman. I still had to wait an additional 90 days before they were able to resolve my issue but my congressman took care of everything.

You can check the official processing times for Vermont Service center here:
https://egov.uscis.g...sDisplayInit.do

If you also want to contact your congressman:
https://writerep.hou...p/welcome.shtml

I wish you two the best!

I am in the give-up mood...seeing people getting approved left and right still nothing on our end!

This is so damn stressful to watch at times knowing we have been waiting almost 7 months for a green light to give us permission to go to the next step of being together!!

I seen alot of October filiers on Friday getting approved (congrats to you), but nothing for me and mine (who also filed in Oct.)...what is up with these people at VSC???

Writing my Senator was a waste of time. I guess it wasn't close to election time, maybe they would have helped. But instead they are sitting at the bus stop sucking on a lollipop just like me.

I just want to know if we drop out now and move on to Plan B....do we get our $455 back?

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2011-04-11 06:06:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

Arriving in America

QUOTE (Chris and Ani @ Sep 10 2009, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is my experience with my flight to US and going through Immigration and Customs...

So, my flight was scheduled on Aug 31st SOF-LON-BOS with AA operated by British Airlines from Sofia to London (Heathrow) and AA from London to Boston.

My flight was scheduled for 2.30 pm from Sofia, arriving at 8.30 pm in Boston.

I arrived at the airport at 1 pm. My luggage was 2 kg (~4.4 lbs) overweight so I had to take some stuff out and put it in my carry on (which was a backpack). I just have bought some medicine right before my check-in and I asked the British Airlines rep if it was ok to put them in my carry on as my other luggage was overweight anyway. She looked at them and said it was fine, as long as I didn't have any liquid medicine with me. I bought some Magnesium pills prescribed by doctor and Mustella cream as I am 5 months pregnant. However, the girl was very rude and she started raising her voice at me that I was late for my flight (it was 1.15 pm, still 1 hr and 15 min to my flight) and told me to hurry up and go fast through security and head to the terminal. I wanna tell you that Sofia Airport is pretty small compared to other European Airports. It has only one terminal (the new one which they built 2 years ago) with 9 gates. You could walk the whole terminal for no more than 5-7 min

but still she insisted I was late. However, I had to say bye to my family really quick and get going.

Went through screen check. The guy asked me straight if I had Mustella in my carry on. I said yes. He said it was over 100ml and in general I wasn't allowed to have it in my carry on but he'd make an exception. I also had a painting with me which was a gift for our wedding and I went through hassle to get a certificate and have the painting with me on the flight, and no one ever asked me about that certificate

and in the winter they wouldn't let my husband has it with him back to US without a certificate. WTH???

I got on the plane, flight was OK, food wasn't though, so good for me that I had lunch with my family before the flight.

On the plane I met some other Bulgarian guy with his UK wife. He wouldn't let me carry my backpack as it was very very heavy - 15 kg (~33 lbs) and he asked One Complete Service (OCS) company that helps passengers with wheelchairs, to help me carry my bags from terminal 3 to terminal 5. They refused by saying it was British Airlines (BA) responsibility. Then we called a BA rep and they said they could not do anything as I just got off their flight, it was AA (American Airlines) responsibility and I should contact them for assistance. However, a guy from OCS carried my heavy backpack to the bus and said I'd be able to take a wheelchair from terminal 5 once I arrive there.

So, I arrived at terminal 5, I looked around, saw the guy working for OCS, explained the situation, asked him for the wheelchair and he looked at me so stupid, shrugged his shoulders like he was saying "I DON'T CARE, NOT MY PROBLEM, LEAVE ME ALONE", turned his head on the other side and left me there alone, with all my stuff. I asked again for help, he only said to go and contact AA. I answered that if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't ask for help, but I could not lift anything heavier than 2-3 kg (4-6 lbs). He did the same, gave me the stupid look, shrugged shoulders and kept reading his newspapers.

Tears started dropping down my face, I just couldn't believe that he was a "MAN" who didn't care a pregnant woman had to deal with all these bags. I felt so offended.

I took my bags, went upstairs and went through security.
Here came the next problem. That Mustella turned out to be a big problem. Just because it was 200ml but not 100ml, the security said I:
a ) could throw it in the trash (but I paid $30 for it)
b ) take it with me, go through immigrations, check out, check in again and send the Mustella cream with one of my bags...

Ahhhhh, well, the security supervisor was very helpful though. She asked someone to go and ask AA for a wheelchair for one of their passengers. So, here I come. I have to sit down actually in the wheelchair, otherwise they won't let me use their service...

Well, I did. Oh, and my 2 hrs overlay in London got extended with another 4 hrs. My flight was delayed with 4 hrs!!! Someone said lately all flights through Heathrow had delays. I had to stay at the airport for more than 6 hrs. Bummer!!!

Then next step, I have to go through immigration customs. The Immigration officer asks me why I didn't fill out declaration form. I said I didn't have to as I was a citizen of a European country. He gave me another stupid look and said: "And since when Bulgaria is a European Union Country???" and I looked at him like Doh! and said: "Two years so far"... Oh, he said, let me check that in the computer. A minute later some apology and I could go out of the airport.

Then I had to check in again, hehe... I gave them my other backpack that had only shoes inside as I had to take them out in first place from my luggage at SOF airport, then put the Mustella cream in it and check it in again with the AA officer. She started asking me questions about my visa, about my husband... and I looked at her stupid and thought: WTH? Ur not an immigration officer!!!! Then she told me they were going to give me a wheelchair, but I HAD TO sit in it, and then go through security again, and they'd leave me in the emergency room. She also said if I was 5 months pregnant and was having contractions, I shouldn't fly in a first place before making so much noise for one wheelchair. WTH? What? What? OK, I had enough $H!T from this airport. I thought that Air companies valued their passengers and it turned out they didn't give a #######, or... oh, wait a minute, I'm a foreigner, not an American citizen, so I probably don't know my rights and they can threat me as bad as they want.

I was left in the Emergency room to wait for the next 4 hrs, and have been said not to move anywhere. If I wanted to go to the restroom, I was expected to take my luggage with me. And I said to the girl: "Then what's the point of having a wheelchair for help, if I'll have to take my luggage with me if I need to go to the restroom, or to buy something to eat?" She just shrugged her shoulders, said not to leave my luggage unattended and left with the wheelchair.

There was another pregnant woman waiting as well. And an old couple sitting next to me. They said they were going to watch my luggage if I wanted to go to eat something. I thanked them and I did as kept crying all the time. When I got back, another lady from OSC came and asked me if I was OK. I laid down on a bench because I got contractions again and my belly was as hard as a stone and it was so painful. I couldn't answer at all. All I could do was nodding for an answer. And I fell asleep. At some point a guy came, woke me up, took my luggage and gave me a ride to my gate with a luggage cart. Then I got on the plane and the flight was safe. I did not have to fill in I-94. But I did have to fill in Customs Declaration.

I arrived in BOS at 12.20 am on Sept 1st, instead of 8.30 pm on Aug 31st.

Our flight was the only one arriving so late. There were all these hundreds of people waiting to go through immigration. I went to an officer, showed him the two orange packages I had with me from the embassy and asked where I should go. He sent me to Non-immigrants/Visitors line. There were only 3 booths open - 2 for US citizens and 1 for visitors. After 10 min of waiting, another officer came to check our visas. He sent me to booth #3 which they just opened. I stepped up there, the officer asked me how am I, when did I get married, since when I haven't seen my husband with very friendly voice. I answered, then I said last time he came to visit we went on a second honeymoon and this is when we made our baby, and when we found out about it hubby said no more honeymoons. The officer started laughing, he said I should've kept it a secret till I get back. I answered in the same friendly joking way: "Yeah, hunny, surprise! I got bigger " and he started laughing again, then he took my fingerprints, took a quick snapshot with the camera which made me ask what was that for, he said for X-mas cards. I asked if I was going to get one, he answered yes; I asked if he'd promise, he laughed and said yes, and then said: "OK, dear, now I'll take you to another level of immigration downstairs. Give me that bag here". So he took my heavy backpack and brought me to a second Immigration office downstairs, right where the luggage pick up was. He left my package on desk #1 (out of totally 3), said good luck with the pregnancy, welcome to USA and left. Total time upstairs - 5 min.

I sat down on a bench to wait to be called. A woman showed up, looked at my 2 big orange packages and said: "Holly $h!t, what is that?" I went to her and asked if I could go to the restroom while she is working on my CR-1 visa. She took me to it, unlocked it for me and said: "Take your time, hun, that's the biggest package of immigration paperwork I've seen lately"

If anyone would like to know what they have in the secret orange envelope that says DO NOT OPEN, I'll tell you the secret

I had 2 envelopes for some reason.
- In one of them I suppose I had the DS-230 stamped and signed at USEM, medical record, I-130, G-325A, I-864, DS-3032.
- In the second one was all the evidence we sent to USCIS and NVC as a proof of a bona fide marriage - pictures, copies of chat history, e-mails, swarn affidavits from friends and relatives, copies of cell phone invoices and call history, copies of my old visas to US ans all issued documents to me.

How do I know? Someone at the embassy has torn off the package at one of the edges and it was enough to be able to see what is inside.

So, after working over my paperwork for about 20 min, she called me, took the fingerprint of my right index twice on two dif papers, made me sign them twice, gave me back my passport with a stamp that said CR-1 visa and said I'm all set. I asked about the SS# but she told me as I already had one it was forever. I knew she wasn't right, I mean, I know I'm supposed to receive a new card no matter (although it's the same number), but just didn't want to argue with her. Took my stuff and left.

Went to pick up my luggage. Someone already have put it all for me on a luggage cart, yayyyy

Went through customs. They asked me if I had any food with me. I asked if the jelly is considered to be food. The girl said NO, just any fresh vegetables, fruit... I answered NO. Then the 4 guys were staring at my suitcases. One of them asked me if I had any stones in my luggage. I answered I had some shells from the Black Sea, as well as a stone with two dead mummified crabs on it. He made a joke about Bulgaria and that we had a sea but not an ocean, then he said I'm good to go, and I left. It's already 1.20 am... I'm tired and sleepy, my feet are swelling a lot, they are so big... I'm pushing the carriage...
...
First door after Customs - big empty room

...
Second door after Customs - Bostan Logan Airport, a huge bouquet of 36 red roses

and a hubby, waiting impatiently to hug and kiss me and our Daisy

for finally welcome back home

Wow! what an experience....I'm glad that you made it here to the states!! Welcome to America!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-11 06:36:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

TRACK YOUR PACKAGE!!

Hello all, I am having the same problem. The NVC stated they have sent my package on January 4th. I have selected track by reference and typed EXP 04 JAN 2010A with the dates before and after and even tried 03801 as the origin postal code but with no luck. It says no shipments found. Anyone having any luck for 2010?

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-01-07 17:52:00

STILL WAITING FOR I-129F NOA2

QUOTE (Hemal @ Aug 14 2009, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi all,

i need big time HELP... send my I-129F on March-03-2009 and got my I-129F NOA1 back on March-16-2009.

still waiting for I-129F NOA2.. looking at the time line posted here today its saying March-21-2009 are being processed and person who file 3 days b4 me got his NOA2 10 to 12 days back.. so i dont know what can i do? or do i need to do anything?

on USCIS web page still saying "Current Status: Case received and pending."

case history

Immigration Status: K-1
Place benefits filed at: Vermont Service Center
Country of Fiance: India (BOMBAY)

please help..

Thanks
Hemal

I understand how difficult the waiting is. I can only hope everything gets approved - I filed on May 22nd. I just checked the processing time for the vermont center and it says 5months for the K1. I know the general rule is to wait 6months before calling. So I would just wait just a couple of more weeks for that confirmation email/letter since you are right at 6 months.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-08-16 13:04:00

noa2 approval!

QUOTE (Hoffy63m @ Sep 9 2009, 07:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I just checked the USCIS website and it said we have been approved! When I get the actual letter what will be in it? What are the next steps I should start to take? Can my fiance get her medical done? Can she actually schedule an interview or do we have to wait for the packet 3? How much longer does it usually take to get the packet 3 after the noa2 approval? Please let me know

Congratulations!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-10 06:06:00

OMMGGGGG I GOT APPROVALLLLL

QUOTE (MouadsWife @ Sep 10 2009, 08:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Omg! I cant believe it! I received my approval. I thought I had to wait atleast another month to get it! We mailed off the original petittion on May 13, 2009 and they received it on May 18, 2009 and I received my NOA1 within a week after that. So, I never thought to hear this soon. Anyhoo... this is what it said....

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On September 10, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

Sooo... I dont know what to expect next! I called my faincing balling... was sooo happy, and between us both we were wondering some things. And I would be soo greatful for anything who could asnwer....

1. What comes in the NOA2 packet?

2. Does the instructions for him to visit doctor for physical come in it?

3. How soon do you think he may get his interview scheduled at embassy?

4. I guess at this point I am going to have to mail him a copy of everything I mailed to emabassy?

I just really have no clue as to whats coming now?????? OMG CANT BELIEVE IT!

Wow this is great! Congrats!!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-11 06:22:00

just got approval in mail...

QUOTE (D_G @ Sep 13 2009, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ok guys, I'm a tad confused.

I just got the petition for approval which is listed as valid from 9/9/2009 to 12/9/2009.

This is the text:

"
The above petition has been approved and forwarded to the listed consulate. Please contact the consulate with any questions about visa insurance or if you would like them to forward the petition to a different consulate. The petitioner can also file form I 824, Aplication for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, with this office to request that we notify another consulate of the petition approval for visa processing purposes. THIS FORM IS NOT A VISA AND MAY NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A VISA.

When the person this petition is for enters the US based on this visa, he or she will be admitted for ninety (90) days in order to marry the petitioner, and based on that marriage file for adjustment to permanent resident status on Form I-485. The form to apply for adjustment can be obtained at any local USCIS office or USCIS forms center. Please attach a copy of this notice to the adjustment application when you file it.

If the petitioner and the fiance do not marry within these 90 days, status will expire, and he or she will be in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act if he or she does not depart. An extension cannot be granted. It is requested that the petitioner inform his or her local USCIS office if he or she determines that the marriage will not take place within the 90 day period. Please attach a copy of this notice to any correspondence about this case.
"

So - what does this mean exactly? Ie my thoughts were that the english consulate will get info and we'll have to do all that, etc - but it says we have to get married within the 90 days listed (til December). Donna is here in the US with me right now til October, so I imagine she'll have to go home and then come back?

Thanks

Congratulations!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-13 23:51:00

short time for knowing my fiance

QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 26 2009, 09:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (JimVaPhuong @ Sep 26 2009, 09:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (D&R @ Sep 26 2009, 03:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (mike001 @ Sep 25 2009, 08:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i just met my fiance a mounth a go.and she is 18 years .is this not gonna be a problem with filing i-129f

thanks

Legally : No problem
Morally : I don't think I need to comment

Meh. We don't know how old Mike is. Maybe he's in his early 20's.

Her age won't be a problem, provided she's legal to marry in the state where the marriage will take place. The length of the relationship won't be a problem for the petition, provided there is sufficient proof of having met within 2 years.

The consulate stage is a whole 'nother story. If there's an age difference, I've heard this CAN be a problem at the consulate in Casa. I've heard it's a bigger problem if the petitioner is a female, and much older than the beneficiary. For reasons I don't fully comprehend, there seem to be a lot of older women petitioning younger men from Morocco. I don't know if a short relationship is a problem in Casa, but I'd be prepared with a truckload of evidence that there has been a serious relationship since the initial meeting. If it's not the cultural norm in Morocco to marry shortly after meeting, then you could expect the CO to seriously scrutinize the case.

I would casually suggest the OP take his time and get to know his fiancee really well before jumping off the board and filing the petition.

As usual, there's wisdom from our friend Jim...

Yes indeed!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-26 09:36:00

How Long Do We Have to Know Each Other Before Applying for K1

QUOTE (Mr. K @ Sep 25 2009, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was all set to start the K1 process. I had done plenty of research and come to the conclusion that this is the best route for me and my fiancee.

So, I met with an attorney yesterday to begin and the attorney says me and my fiancee have to have known each other for two years before sending off the I-129 petition. If not, it will not get approved. I told the attorney that it was my understanding that we only have to have met once within two years of applying. The attorney says those statements are essentially the same, and that we have to have known each other for two years before even applying.

I checked the US Dept of State website (http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#Filing) for info on K1 visa, and with regards to a fiance(e) it says:

"In general, the two people must have met in person within the past two years."

Am I wrong or is the attorney incorrect? Do I have to know my fiancee for two years before even applying? I do not interpret this statement to mean we have to know each other for two years before applying. The operative word is "within". "Within two years" could mean I met her anytime between right now and two years ago and still apply for the K1. It could mean if I have known her for 10 years and the last time we met was three years ago we can't apply.

I was blown away by the attorney's statement, as I have known my fiancee for less than two years. I thought I knew what was going on, but now I am a bit confused. If the attorney is indeed wrong, I wasted $100 on a consultation fee for bad advice, from an immigration attorney who should know.

Please let me know what is correct.

Hello Mr. K, your lawyer doesn't know what he is talking about. I have met my fiancée online and we have been talking close to a year before I actually got a chance to visit her. I was then able to fulfill the K-1 requirement "must have met within two years" and submitted the K-1 even before discovering this website (www.visajourney.com) on my own (without a lawyer). I was just recently approved and now I'm waiting for the NVC to receive our case. I'm not sure where your lawyer stands but he might be new to this process and probably misunderstood. Since you have discovered this website, just follow the K-1 guide in preparing your packet and you will be fine. The money you will invest in a lawyer will be best used toward K-1 fees.

Good luck on your K-1 journey, and keep us updated on your progress!!! Your participation on Visajourney.com will help others on a similar quest as yours.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-26 08:41:00

129F question 18 Overkill?

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Oct 4 2009, 08:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (gsxjoey @ Oct 4 2009, 03:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey guys, I've just finished getting my petition together and ready to mail it tomorrow. I was just wondering is a page and a half single spaced overkill for the 129F supplement? Also are 14 pictures too much to include in the packet?

I've just been following the K-1 Guides on the site and I swear Ive checked every form at least a thousand times but can I just use some airplane tickets from when I went to Korea, and a Certificate of enrollment from the school in Korea that was attending this past summer to learn Korean as proof of having met?

Finally is it really necessary to include proof of an ongoing relationship if its not one of the requirements for the 129F? does uscis even check for that?

It is a description of how you MET IN PERSON.

"I was returning from a trip to Ukraine on September 19, 2007 and had a layover in Prague, CZ. I met Alla while waiting in line to buy bus tickets to the city"

That is IT. That is ALL. I included ONE photo of us together and boarding pass copies and passport stamps for that trip. Approved in 58 days without RFE.

Exactly HOW could I have made 1-1/2 pages out of that? Even if we had met online or corresponded for 25 years (irrelevent to question 18) I can describe it in two sentences, TOPS.

"I met Alla online in 1976, shortly after I invented the internet for the purpose of meeting foreign chicks in the Soviet Union. I flew to Ukraine last year and she met me at the airport" There. It doe snot matter how you were "introduced" it matters where and how you MET IN PERSON.

QUOTE (gsxjoey @ Oct 4 2009, 03:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

NO proof of ongoing relationship is required for the I-129f. The proof you suggest, along with some photos of you togetheris sufficient.

lol same here. I didn't find this website until after I have submitted my k1 packet information. I just printed out one page of digital pictures (4). I included copies of my boarding pass and probably some chat messages "can't remember."

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-04 21:56:00

26 days at NVC?

Same here just spoke to a NVC rep which said that they don't have it yet. We were approved on Sept. 14th.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-30 15:18:00

K-1 Visa, and sending money to fiance~~~

QUOTE (aeb2009 @ Sep 28 2009, 01:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was searching through the forums and couldn't find an answer, so I'm posting a question here. (Mods: If there is a better forum, please move.)

I have been in my relationship for 4 years now, and we chose to get married, so we started the K-1 visa process in March 2009, CSC. Anyways, It has been a long time, and still waiting on NOA2, and it seems that my background check is causing a problem, of which I have no idea. Clean record, no arrests, nothing. Then I was talking with a friend, and they asked about if I had sent money to my fiance. So, yes, I have sent money directly to my fiance on many occasions. Mostly when I was travelling on vacation, wiring the money there and taking advantage of a good exchange rate was a good idea at the time I thought. There were also other times when I sent my SO money just to help make life easier for her.

So has anyone had this "Sending Money" issue come up at any time in their visa journey? If so, big issue, no issue, anything?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts / opinions!

Aaron

I doubt that sending money is going to be an issue because I have been sending around $100 a month for almost a year now - no issues what-so-ever...

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-28 14:27:00

nvc

can someone help me and tell me how many days would it take for me to get the letter for my interview since NVC sent my approved papers in manila last jan 11,2010..... please knees are shaking heart wont stop beating just very excited here....

Yeah, go ahead and call right now and see if they have received your information. If so make sure you schedule the interview with enough time to do the medical such as finding available place to stay (most cheap good hotels are book for about a week).

They will ask you for your fiancee full name, birth, address, phone number, and email address.

~congrats btw :dance:

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-01-16 13:13:00

Need help in picking a firm to help prepare K1 VISA

Using 'one of those firms' is honestly a rip off to me. Not to mention that I think its a very good idea to have a good understanding of the process yourself - after all, this is your family's future so why not invest a little bit of time to do the research yourself and run with it? Trust me - the more you know about this process, the better off you are at protecting yourself. And you never know - you may end up finding it endlessly fascinating the way many of us have.

Everything you need is either here or at one of the other boards. Why throw good money after bad?

I completely agree! - good point

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-02-03 08:38:00

Need help in picking a firm to help prepare K1 VISA

I was thinking of not using a lawyer but one of these companies that assist with the paper work. They charge from $249 to $495. One is called "Filipina Fiancee Visa Service" and they charge $289. I live in San Francisco, CA

Why pay when the guides here are completely free including the support!? I did all of this on my own. Anyway by the time you fill out all the necessary documents requested, at the end you are going to tell yourself that you really didn't need a lawyer and could have used the money for something else.

-no regrets!-

I look at what you are about to pay as close to 40% off her ticket to the USA...

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-02-03 08:27:00

K-3 Spousal Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Insanity is boring it's ugly head into my brain...

Well, impatience reared it's ugly head today, and I called USCIS to make them aware that there is exactly 11 hours before our petition is exactly 5 months old (yes, I'm ####### retentive, I know the hour that our package was delivered).

I was transferred to a supervisor because they keep telling me their received date was October 15th, but my NOA1 says October 2nd.

And of course, I was given the usual shpeil about 5 months being a general guideline for when they begin processing the petition.

And apparently, USCIS is currently processing petitions from September 16th.

I didn't even bother saying that I know differently.

I'm going to bring my evidence, from their own website, showing that if they're processing within their 5 month time frame then their "processing times" will show up as 5 months. Well, their processing times show 5 months, but they're processing cases from 6 months ago. Something isn't adding up here...and apparently the general public isn't supposed to use their brains that hard.

I'm so incredibly frustrated, I didn't even bother arguing with the lady on the phone. Right now I feel like screaming, but obviously, that won't get me anywhere.

Oh, and loved the whole, "The good news is that he should have his visa before the end of the year."

That's GOOD news? That gives USCIS 9 months to sit on it's fat, ugly butt!

Stupid Immigration. Stupid large space between England and California...

Grrrrrrr....

I don't blame you about your feelings about USCIS. We got approved quickly but then had to wait 90 days after the NOA 2 approval (after several escalations, speaking to several level two reps, multiple follow-up cases to have them tell me that they (USCIS) have already sent it to NVC, same process with NVC for them to tell us wait 90 days for USCIS to send it to them, the congressman mentioned for me to also wait until the 90day mark before they will act on my behalf so I just waited patiently in limbo.) to have a congressman find out(December) that the NOA 2 approval was sitting on the officers (USCIS) desk the whole time!!! So the congressman - well - aid, followed up with USCIS called them very often to redo the case and re-issue new dates - and finally the nvc stated that they have our file. I never thought this would happen to us but it did so make sure you keep close tabs on your progress because I wasn't going to let them as in USCIS get away with this. Hopefully your situation will go smoothly without any problems.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-03-02 03:43:00

Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)

Visa issued after 4 weeks in AP

Hello Friends,
I have a good news to report here. After 4 weeks of AP in Delhi Consulate, they issued the visa. Passport is scheduled to be delivered to my wife Today via VFS.
We are very Happy..................
Thanks everyone for your support.

What a relief! Congratulations on moving forward

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-06-09 21:18:00

NVC?

QUOTE (Arbind.Ariadne @ Sep 19 2009, 12:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't want to sound like whining again but for the nth time, my fiancé has called the NVC and the operator said that there's no record of our case yet. My fiancé received the NOA2 hard copy on August 28 and it has the date August 25. I have observed that most, if not all, cases with the same NOA2 date as ours are already in their respective embassies.

Is there anything else that we can do other than waiting? If things moved the easy way as the rest of the cases did, I would already have my interview in the first or second week of October.

FAE

Yeah, same here. I've checked the time lines for nvc confirmation and it seems that there are a lot of people that are still waiting to get a response.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-21 23:27:00

NVC Status

QUOTE (Arbind.Ariadne @ Sep 28 2009, 10:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

After exactly a month from the NOA2 and daily, "We don't have a record of your case," the NVC has finally updated us with something positive.

My fiance called earlier and the operator said: "It's undergoing processing with no known lead time.
The case does not show to be under administrative review."

What does that mean? They have already assigned a new case number but I would like to know what that status actually means.

FAE

I wouldn't worry at this point since they just started to work your case. Hopefully it will be transferred to the embassy in a few days.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-29 04:05:00

calling DOS

QUOTE (KnJ @ Oct 2 2009, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I called DOS to see if I had an interview yet. No interview yet.

So I asked 'do you have the date my package was logged at the consulate?'
'what?'
me: 'Do you have the date Montreal entered into the system that they received my K-1 application'
'Yes'
me: 'Can you tell me what it is?'
'Why do you want to know?'
me: 'I'd just like to know when they logged it so I know the date they received'
'July'
me: 'Can you tell me a more specific date?'
'No.'
me: 'Okay thank you ______'

#######? does she actually not have a more specific date? ( really don't need it. I sent it in July 27 next day delivery, not too many days left in July)
do some operators give you a hard time? It's not like I've ever asked anything else besides 'Is there an interview'

It's possible that rep is having a bad day or it could be that they aren't allowed to give out too much detail. I would try to call back and find out if you can get the information you are seeking. Maybe you will get someone else ...

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-02 16:43:00

Additional processing? is there no recourse? K1

Uhhhhgrg, we're still waiting for the nvc to even receive our case. The noa 2 was approved on sept. 14th and the nvc csr rep stated that they still haven't received it yet...

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-07 00:00:00

Case Cpmplete

QUOTE (mstangie @ Sep 25 2009, 02:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hooray

finally my husband's case has been completed as of Sept 24-09. The NVC tells me they have scheduled all the appointments for Oct, so I'm praying for him to be in the Nov interview. I thought this was going to be a hard battle, but it went rather smooth. Sorry I never got a timeline set up. Now I don't remember the dates to start one. I pray for each and everyone of you that has a loved one far away things will work out in God's favor.

Great news! Congrats!!! just the interview and then POE!!!

Good Luck!!!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-09-25 16:34:00

What's the deal with USCIS to NVC

QUOTE (Wait_A_Minute @ Oct 13 2009, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't belive after 13 days, NVC hasn't received my approved 129 or 130.

What can be the reason? I called and spoke with a rep earlier who said that it could be 3-4 weeks to 3 months? I will definitely go crazy then..

I see people after me are already dealing with next NVC steps and so forth.. Does repeted calls to NVC help? What are my options, if any?

USCIS
129 approved - 09/30
130 approved - 09/30

Yeah, we are in the same boat. I've just called today and they said to wait until Friday to see if its in since we were approved Sept. 14th which is around the five week mark.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-14 00:50:00

QUOTE (MayaLar @ Oct 24 2009, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi guys!

We were able to contact USCIS and said they already sent the approved petition....????Should we really believe it?What should we do?????

I would contact your congressman to call uscis. I've spoken to a level two rep (immigration officer) at uscis which gave me an escalated ticket number starting with wtc... I've also went ahead and contacted my congressman which will follow up on the case. Hopefully, I can hear something back from my congressman sometime next week.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-24 12:34:00

QUOTE (jab1976 @ Oct 23 2009, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I WAITED 1.5 YEARS TO HAVE USCIS APPROVE OUR K1 PETITION, AFTER THE CASE WAS APPROVED, USCIS VERMONT SENT OUR CASE TO THE NATIONAL RECORD CENTER INSTEAD OF THE NVC, DONT WAIT, GET YOUR CONGRESSMAN TO CALL USCIS, DIRECT ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND ATTENTION TO USCIS, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO SEND YOUR CASE TO THE NVC, IT DOES NOT TAKE THAT LONG TO SEND A CASE TO THE NVC, USUALLY 1-2 WEEKS, 6 WEEKS IS TOO LONG, SOMETHING IS WRIONG.

Jab1976, I'm so sorry to hear what you had to go through. I'm glad to see that the vnc has finally received your petition. I went ahead and requested that my congressman contact uscis. Thanks for the great advice and hope that this information will continue to help others in similar situations.

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-24 06:31:00

QUOTE (Binas @ Oct 23 2009, 02:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (James & Angie @ Oct 23 2009, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (MayaLar @ Oct 22 2009, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was able to speak to an operator and confirmed that they didn't received the file yet...was advised need to allow 2-4weeks but it will be a month this Oct24....

We also have a problem with NVC not receiving our petition from uscis. I had called uscis, nvc, department of state, and the embassy in manila all (minus uscis) which state that they haven't received nor have any record of the case number eacXXXXXXXXXXX. It's now going on the sixth week since my noa 2 was approved. I've spoken to an lvl 2 IO officer like one week after my noa2 in which he confirmed it was already mailed to nvc. However, just a few days ago I spoke to another level 2 IO at uscis which stated that it was already sent and that they will escalate the issue. The IO officer has given me a ticket number, advised to check back in one week and will submit an inquiry to the nvc about the case. In the mean time I have also contacted my congressman through his website and just received an email from his aid stating that she contacted the nvc. The nvc told the congressman’s aid that it can take up to a month since they have received a large number of applications and will follow up at the end of the month.

Please...please...dont trust what the USCIS folks tell you. They kept me waiting with the same answer for about three months. each time they gave a different excuse (things are busy at the NVC these days, we emailed the docs to NVC etc.) NVC is pretty good in entering the cases they recieved in the system. So 99% of the time, USCIS has delayed sending the docs.

Do contact the congressman and ask them to call the USCIS service centre. The ONLY way to know the status of your case is to make them physically look through your file (nothing is electronic at the USCIS) and see if they have misplaced the application.

In my case, my office was pretty close to the USCIS field office and I would go there every week for 3 months. Finally they had the mercy to call the Vermont Service Centre and made them look for the files. Of course, they had lost the application and I was asked to submit a copy of my 130 package so that they could reconstruct the case. If I had known this earlier, I wouldnt have wasted 3 months waiting by listening to their lies!

So, dont waste time and ask your congressman to contact the USCIS Service Centre!!!

Good luck!
Binu

Thanks Binas, I will definately ask my congressman to contact uscis then. Why does uscis do this to people?.... It's very unethical for what they put us through...

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-23 19:03:00

QUOTE (MayaLar @ Oct 22 2009, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was able to speak to an operator and confirmed that they didn't received the file yet...was advised need to allow 2-4weeks but it will be a month this Oct24....

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2009-10-23 00:15:00

AP at NVC

I just found out today that my case is in AP at NVC as of December 22nd. I am a little unfamiliar with this. I know it means administrative processing. The customer service representative could not give me a timeframe for how long this will take. Does anyone have any ideas? I am a little nervous here, I was getting packet 3 all ready thinking I should receive it any day now, only to find out my case is in AP. I thought I read somewhere (on some other website) that they could be in AP at the NVC for up to 6 months?? I hope that's not true!

I called the NVC on December 30th and they told me that they have just received my petition that day. They also stated that my case was in AP and said the same thing you mentioned (they don't know how long it will be). So I gave it a week so I won't go crazy and tried not to think about it. I called today and they stated that it was sent to the embassy on Jan 4th! So it only took four days excluding the holiday. Hopefully, yours will come soon!

James & Angie

Male

Philippines

2010-01-07 17:36:00